Escambia County man serving life sentence will be released within days under new law

This story has been updated to correct a mistake that appeared in the original story. The story incorrectly stated the year Billy Wayne Coker was killed. The crime occurred in 1991. The story has further clarified each co-defendant's charges.

An Escambia County judge ruled Thursday that a man who was serving a life sentence in prison for a murder committed when he was a teenager will be released.

Clifford Edward Barth, 43, pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder and robbery in the death of Billy Wayne Coker after he and two co-defendants, Larry Fordham and James Bonifay, were involved in the shooting of the victim at his auto parts store in 1991.

Bonifay was found guilty of murder, robbery and grand theft, and Fordham was found guilty of felony murder and robbery.

Barth was eligible for that hearing, but instead he waived it after reaching an agreement with the state. Judge Joel Boles granted that agreement Thursday and sentenced Barth to 26 years in prison — almost exactly the amount of time he has already served.

“I never thought this day would come.”

Angie Goderich, Barth's sister

That means Barth will be released from custody within days, pending paperwork.

"I never thought this day would come," said Barth's sister, Angie Goderich, in the courtroom Thursday, crying and hugging her uncle, Mitch Willhite.

Those who spoke on Barth's behalf during the hearing, including the victim's family and the former prosecutor, were positive about Barth's prospect for reintegrating into the community and about his remorse for his actions.

Barth went with his co-defendants when Coker was shot, the court heard, but there is no evidence he participated in the murder.

Coker's sister-in-law, Brenda Byrd, said she and her sister, Sandra Coker, met with Barth recently. She said she had always been of the mindset that Barth should remain in prison, but after meeting with him, she felt differently.

“He was truly sorry, he apologized ... and when we left, (Sandra) said, 'This is the most peaceful I've been.”

Brenda Byrd, Coker's sister-in-law

"He was truly sorry, he apologized ... and when we left, (Sandra) said, 'This is the most peaceful I've been,'" Byrd said during the hearing.

Michael Patterson, the Assistant State Attorney who prosecuted Barth's case, said that from the first contact he had with Barth after the murder he sensed the teenager's genuine regret.